Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10236" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah5-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah5-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah5-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah5-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Ready to feel some good vibrations? Sound therapy offers just that, working through a process of sympathetic resonance (when your brain gets in synch with the rate of vibrations produced by gongs and bowls) allowing it to relax. The brain switches from a beta-dominant brainwave state (concentrating) to a restful alpha-dominant brainwave state. And all you have to do is lie down. It’s like meditation without the effort.</p>



<p>Devotees say immersion in these sounds acts as a powerful vibratory medicine and can reduce stress, ease pain and anxiety, and improve sleep. Along with breathwork and meditation, all those vibrations and different frequencies send you into a zen-like state of meditation. Sarah’s sessions do all of the above but are a little different to your standard sound bath. During a two hour session (I promise you it does not feel this long!) she guides with her voice and moves sound around you, before helping you play an active role in setting your intention for the session.</p>



<p>Sarah’s sound journeys can be taken 1:1, in a group or as part of a bespoke <a href="https://wildhive.uk/groundedwildhive/">Grounded@Wildhive</a> experience. After a whirlwind summer, this intimate private retreat in the magical setting of Wildhive Callow Hall in Ashbourne is the perfect panacea. Kicking off with the Pilates-like practice of <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/review-barre-by-barre-class-ashbourne-derbyshire/">Barre,</a> you’ll relax with a sauna or woodland wander and a light bite in the beautiful Garden Room restaurant before finishing with Sarah’s transformative Sound Journey.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Wildhive-Callow-Hall-exterior.jpg" alt="Exterior of Wildhive Callow Hall Ashbourne" class="wp-image-4491" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Wildhive-Callow-Hall-exterior.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Wildhive-Callow-Hall-exterior-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Wildhive-Callow-Hall-exterior-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/05/Wildhive-Callow-Hall-exterior-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The <a href="https://wildhive.uk/callow-hall/the-coach-house/">wellbeing hub</a> in the Coach House at gorgeous Wildhive Callow Hall is the beautiful, bucolic setting for Sarah&#8217;s sound journeys. The studio is a delight. With huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the woodland-fringed courtyard, exposed brick walls with cosy, candlelit niches and wooden floor. It feels earthy, warm and welcoming.</p>



<p>Sound therapist Sarah is a total pro. Warm and friendly she has a professional, put-you-at-ease air and is easy to relax around. It feels as if she is in control and has your very best interests at heart. My apprehension about this being an away-with-the-fairies experience melted away after moments in her company. She is clear about what to expect and that you are in safe hands.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-experience">THE EXPERIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah1.jpg" alt="sound therapist sarah sims with gong" class="wp-image-10237" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>My sound journey began with Sarah laying me down under a cosy blanket and me donning a blackout eye mask. After an initial wariness at feeling a little out of control, I soon relaxed as she soothingly voiced what was happening and set the intentions for our session. Sarah does this so well. She speaks calmly but assuredly and I soon felt confident in her hands.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah2.jpg" alt="sound therapist sarah sims with sound bowl" class="wp-image-10238" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah2-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Once the sounds started, I found myself back to being on high alert. Deprived of by vision, it took a few minutes to relax again, but the sounds really help with this. Some are gentle and pretty, some are buzzy and resonant, some are ominous and loud. Once the session gets underway you understand why some term it a sound &#8216;bath&#8217; &#8211; waves of vibration wash over you in a quite stunning way. I also realise why Sarah terms it a journey. I feel transported on a melodic journey and my imagination conjures vivid images in my mind. Once the vast vibrating gongs come into play, I almost feel like my mind has gone somewhere else entirely and my sense of self has exited the room. It&#8217;s not always pleasant.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah3.jpg" alt="sound therapist sarah sims with sound bowls" class="wp-image-10239" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah3-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah3-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah3-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/sq-sarah3-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Admittedly, coming out of this sound journey is a little bit &#8216;1-2-3, you&#8217;re back in the room&#8217;. But Sarah is gentle with it. There&#8217;s no rude awakening, I was slowly coaxed out of my near-slumber and brought back into the room with a lovely tea ceremony (grander than it sounds &#8211; it&#8217;s basically a calming, cossetting, warming sip of some herbal tea but with a newly-heightened awareness). I loved this. It felt truly nourishing and grounding. I came to feeling refreshed and looked-after in the loveliest of ways. </p>



<p>It may not always feel relaxing during the sound journey, but it most certainly does once it&#8217;s finished. I slept very soundly that night and felt a deep sense of calm and rejuvenation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Stress bunnies, the alternative-therapy-curious and those looking to rediscover their mojo. You’ll feel grounded, re-balanced and strangely refreshed afterwards.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> It&#8217;s no magic panacea but it&#8217;s hard to imagine someone who wouldn&#8217;t benefit from a couple of hours of stillness and sound immersion. Leave your expectations at the door.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> A two-hour <a href="https://hotelcms-production.imgix.net/wildhive.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SoundTherapyJune23.pdf">introductory sound class</a> costs £65pp, a 1:1 costs from £165.The <a href="https://wildhive.uk/groundedwildhive/">Grounded@Wildhive</a> experience costs £200pp and requires a minimum of 4 to attend and is capped at 8.</p>



<p><em>To book a sound journey with <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/sacred-sound-journey-with-sarah-sims-ashbourne/">Sarah Sims</a>, email <a href="mailto:sarah@treasuryoflight.co.uk">sarah@treasuryoflight.co.uk</a> or call 07715 113197.</em></p>


Review: Take a sound journey with Sarah Sims

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